Can someone explain immunotherapy to me please

[SameToo]

My dad has pancreatic cancer, amongst other, less worrying cancers. They started chemo in feb but he ended up in hospital for a prolonged period of time. They’ve now changed treatment to immunotherapy and I don’t know what that means. Is this a step closer to palliative care? Is it a better option? Thank you

Immunotherapy is a type of therapy that helps your immune system recognise your cancer and (hopefully) eliminate it. There are many forms. Sometimes it 'tags' a cancer using an antibody. Sometimes it stimulates T cells (white blood cells) .
They don't work for everyone, but for some people they work really well.
Do you know which one he is on?
I work in this field, but am not a medical doctor.

I don't think immunotherapy is given as palliative care.

I don’t know which one he’s on but maybe able to find out. I’m just worried that the tumour grew in the 2 months he couldn’t have chemo which meant he couldn’t have surgery and it’s pancreatic which is one of the less advanced areas of cancer treatment.

They might be giving immunotherapy to try to shrink the tumour to the point where surgery becomes possible.

If you can find out what type of immunotherapy (name of drug), I might be able to be more helpful.....

If he’s getting immunotherapy then that is amazing, it’s quite a new but brilliant technique to get your own body to fight the cancer. Pancreatic cancer obviously is one of the most difficult cancers to treat though, it may be that they are hoping to buy time either to extend his life or to operate. Can you ask them?

I've had immunotherapy as part of palliative care (not saying the OPs father is on palliative pathway). I had it alongside chemo and it was very effective, working better than expected.

He’s back in hospital with an infection. We’re thinking of gathering a case about the hospital that’s treated him.

@barberousbarbara how did it work out better if you do t mind me asking

@SameToo I have stage 4 breast cancer. I had to have chemo alongside the immunotherapy but we had some unexpected results which have extended my life but at least 12 months so far. I am now on a different type of treatment.

I hope your Dad's infection clears up soon and the immunotherapy does it's job. My experience is to take each day at a time. I wish and your family all the best.

My mums partner had lymphoma and it was successfully treated with immunotherapy. I think it's quite a new treatment but can be very effective.

Thank you @barberousbarbara